United States v. Williams

PartyNames: United States v. Michael WilliamsPetitioner: United StatesRespondent: Michael Williams

Court Below: United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

United States v. Michael Williams 553 U.S. 285 (2008)

Question Presented:

Section 2252A(a)(3)(B) of Title 18 (Supp. IV 2004) prohibits "knowingly * * * advertis[ing], promot[ing], present[ing], distribut[ing], or solicit[ing] * * * any material or purported material in a manner that reflects the belief, or that is intended to cause another to believe, that the material or purported material" is illegal child pornography. The question presented is whether Section 2252A(a)(3)(B) is overly broad and impermissibly vague, and thus facially unconstitutional.

Question:

Does the PROTECT Act abridge First Amendment freedom of speech by outlawing the pandering of material that is believed to be, or claimed to be, illegal child pornography?